KORAI ÖRÖM

In the Hungarian league we have ColorStar, Kerekeres, Masfel, Korai Orom and many more.

Korai Orom offers a happy mix of balkanmusic, dancemusic, funkrock, jazzfunk, dub, reggae and spacerock. Lots of room for solos and enthic rhythms.

There's not much to be said about this album, because the albumtitle and songtitles don't give much room to discuss. The thing is: this album sounds like a fullblown party. Who says you can't dance and be happy with Progrock?

I condider 2005 to be their best. A nice album to start with.

First four tracks are just almost as good as 2005 album was and thankfully they last for more than 30 minutes, which sum up to two thirds of the recording. 'Új Arab' starts with some meaningless chanting, but when it kicks in, it`s overall very good with some eastern heavy riffs and female 'moaning' vocals. 'Tizenkettő negyed' is wonderful classic. You can spot clip for this one on youtube or elsewhere (I think it`s on the cd as well, but I do not physical one). It was recorded during their all-time-members-reunion 18th birthday gig. 'Kínai' is my personal favorite, it`s growing step by step and gets better and better, creating great atmosphere. The first part of the album ends with more than 11-minute track 'Úszós', which is also essential here.

Well, then there`s the rest of the album, but I don`t care about it much. There are two shorter tracks (Mbira, Szubarú) that are really unnecessarily mixed in. 'A Paraszt visszavág' is a joke. I can tell one thing about jokes in music ? most of them get me angry when I hear them too often. The track begins with parody of Michael Jackson`s 'Beat it' ? the choice that isn`t really original and makes me just a bit too embarrassed when I hear it. Then it becomes straightforward electronic (disco?) track which is pretty stupid, but fairly listenable, even though there`s much chanting in Hungarian (I guess). The last two tracks 'Latin' and 'Akusztikus' are good, but nothing spectacular.

If You`re into band, it`s highly recommended. When You don`t know then, check '2005' album first. But If have a chance, listen to first four tracks of this one, they`re really something, if You are enough open-minded to appreciate this kind of eclectic, a bit tribal, a bit psychedelic, sometimes complex, sometimes straight, but always interesting music.

ps. It`s their last album with original keyboard/synth player Biljarszki Emil. He is good. The new player is either not half that good or the whole band just got terribly cheesy, I can`t decide.

Stylistically this album could be compared with some Ozric Tentacles releases, just much more relaxed in sound. Long spacey jamming with melodic components, some Eastern melodies, folklore elements and jazzy rhythms. Would you like it or not depends mostly on you interest to such kind of music - I believe Ozric Tentacles or Hawkwind fans should find this album really attractive, for others long jamming and quite monotonic and repetitive rhythms and bulky album's structure possibly will sound a bit boring.

Anyway - really competent spacey prog album.

No song titles as usual. Song 1 has this atmospheric intro before it kicks in after a minute. It seems to get louder after 3 minutes. This is all about the beat and rhythm. It settles with female vocals before 4 minutes. Song 2 opens with female vocals. Male spoken words come in repeating "You can stop the tunes but don't stop the beat". The female vocals return sounding very ethnic. Male vocals 3 1/2 minutes in and I like the guitar that follows. Excellent tune. Song 3 opens with a U2 The Edge-like guitar melody which I think is an ethnic instrument or keys. A beat comes in and then it gets a little heavy 2 minutes in. That heaviness comes and goes. Not a fan of the male vocals at all.

Song 4 is almost haunting to open until a minute it when it kicks in with a heavy beat. The guitar comes in making some noise. Vocals after 4 1/2 minutes are again poor. It blends into song 5 which has this odd sounding instrument throughout. Song 6 opens with guitar then a beat comes in. Nice bass. Trumpet before 2 1/2 minutes. Male vocals 4 minutes in. Organ late. Song 7 has this beat with trumpet a minute in. Keys come in as well. Song 8 is ethnic sounding with spoken words. It kicks in quickly though. Themes are repeated. Song 9 is the longest at 9 1/2 minutes. Some atmosphere early as spoken words come in followed by a beat.

Good album but it fails to captivate me like their "Live In 2000" record does.

KORAI ÖRÖM is not repeating the music on every release (if you don't go forward - you go backwards). So most of the songs from this debut are initiated by an atmospheric intro for example before they invite you to dance. Track 4 and 6 are the exceptions totally captured by exotic instruments like jew harp and didgeridoo. Keyboard/synths are also playing an important role and the guitars warrant the psychedelic resp. spacey element. A trumpet appears here and there what even provides a jazzy avantgarde touch, for example on track 1 and 2 which both have the makings of a masterpiece - somewhat light-footed in a very happy mood.

This album is hardly comparable with other band's efforts because of the high world music component. Unfortunately they cannot hold the high standard of the first songs during the whole album. However - 3.5 stars, a good start by KORAI ÖRÖM even if it might be treated as a little bit monotonous by some listeners ... oh yes ... speaking about trademarks ...

From start to beginning, a swirling mixture of ethnic beats, mesmerizing soundscapes, "trippy" psych music, and a heavy, driving jazzy backbone will take you on a ride that few progressive albums can even come close to. It's intense the whole way through and never drifts away into uninspired jams, making this the quintessential space rock album in my opinion. None of the other bands in the genre have seemed to reach the level of perfection Korai Öröm achieved here, and it's really a shame they aren't more well known. I would really recommend this to all fans of progressive rock because not only is it a definite masterpiece and a pinnacle of the genre, but the music is such an eclectic mix that there should be something for everyone.

The first song opens with the sound of crickets and birds as an Eastern sounding melody plays including acoustic guitar. 90 seconds in the pace and volume is increased to a driving, catchy beat. Nice guitar melody as well. Lots of flute 7 minutes in as the guitar gets quite heavy. The song ends with the melody from the intro. Nice. The second song begins with drums, keys and guitar creating another beautiful soundscape. This is hypnotic stuff man. Some soft vocals are used for effect and the song ends with some good guitar. The third song opens with drums and percussion.There is some atmospheric guitar a minute in. This is the shortest song clocking in at just over 2 minutes.

The fourth song opens with the sounds of flowing water as synths and what sounds like morrocas come in. Guitar follows then pounding drums forming an amazing combination.The guitar sounds incredible and the drumming and percussion is really what this band is all about. The fifth song has this vocal melody throughout including a lot of laughing. The keys and percussion dominate with horns coming in.The sixth song features guitar, percussion and synths. More trumpet and I love the sound of that spacey ending.

This record has me wanting to hear more, I was reminded of Krautrock at times and would like to check out some of their early stuff. Highly recommended.

The records opens with I, an ambient tune with echoes of Ennio Morricone western soundtracks ! It evolves slightly with additions of percussions and floating guitars. II is the longest track of the disc and is completely different from the first song, more spacey and cosmic, and of course very relaxing. The next tune has an upbeat tempo, and could feature on a trip-hop release. Both jazzy and energic by moments ! But the real highlight here is IV, opening with a smooth and vaporous athmosphere to introduce an astonishing guitar part in the vein of the Shadows ! The second part of the song is very trance-ish and hypnotic ! Powerful ! This song alone shows the band's variety of influences. Back to the calm with V, a smooth ambient jazzy-rock tune. The album concludes with VI, the rockiest song fo the disc, featuring wah-wah guitars and oriental melodies.

With Sound & Vision 2001, Korai Öröm offers a very good modern psychedelic release. Songs are various and some passages are rather surprising but highly welcomed in this "ambient jungle". A re-discovery of the genre. Strongly recommended !